Russell Westbrook’s ability to fill up the box score has become one of the most underappreciated talents in the NBA.

The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is closing in on a third consecutive season averaging a triple-double, an achievement accomplished only one other time in the NBA when Oscar Robertson did so in 1962.

Westbrook, like Nipsey, grew up in Los Angeles and knew the late rapper.

“Somebody I looked up to, somebody that paved the way for a guy like myself growing up in the inner city,” Westbrook told TNT. “To have those conversations with him. I’m just truly saddened by the situation, just continue to pray for his family.”

Westbrook’s big game arrived during a key moment for the Thunder, who have struggled of late as they jockey for playoff positioning. Oklahoma City had gone 3-7 in its previous 10 games entering Tuesday and had fallen to the bottom of the tightly packed Western Conference playoff race.

Every win matters in playoff race

With the win, the Thunder improved to 45-33 to pick up a half game on the 44-33 San Antonio Spurs, who sit in 8th place in the West. They remain two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers.

Moving out of the bottom two playoff spots would likely mean avoiding the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, a goal that is surely on the minds of the teams at the bottom of the playoff standings.